Redistricting clears justice department

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The U.S. Justice Department has told state legislators it won't oppose South Carolina's redrawing of state Senate election district lines.

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell of Charleston says he received a letter from Justice officials Monday noting they had no objection to the state Senate redistricting plan.

In recent weeks, Justice officials have said they wouldn't oppose plans redrawing lines for the South Carolina's state House and U.S. House districts, including the new seventh U.S. House district along the coast.

The proposed maps for South Carolina and other Southern states require federal approval because of a history of inequitable treatment of black voters. Last week, six black voters sued to challenge new U.S.

House district lines, calling the work of the GOP-dominated Legislature "voting apartheid."